A TOOLKIT: How carers in QLD can advocate for change - www.caringfairly.org.au - Caring Fairly
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A TOOLKIT: How carers in QLD can
advocate for change
www.caringfairly.org.au Caring Fairly is represented in QLD by:
www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign
@caringfairly
@caringfairly
WHO WE ARE Caring Fairly is a national campaign led by unpaid carers and specialist organisations that support and advocate for their rights. Launched in August 2018 and coordinated by Mind Australia, Caring Fairly is led by a coalition of over 25 carer support organisations, NGOs, peak bodies, and carers themselves. In Queensland, Caring Fairly is represented by Arafmi Ltd, Carers Queensland, and Eating Disorders Queensland. We need your support, and invite you to join the Caring Fairly coalition. Caring Fairly wants: • A fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers • Better economic outcomes for people who devote their time to supporting and caring for their loved ones • Government policies that help unpaid carers balance paid work and care, wherever possible • Politicians to understand what’s at stake for unpaid carers going into the 2019 federal election To achieve this, we need your help. WHY WE ARE TAKING ACTION Unpaid carers are often hidden from view in Australian politics. There are almost 2.7 million unpaid carers nationally. Over 850,000 people in Australia are the primary carer to a loved one with disability. Many carers, understandly, don’t identify as a ‘carer’. Caring Fairly wants visibility for Australia’s unpaid carers. We are helping to build a new social movement in Australia to achieve this. Unpaid carers prop up Australian society. Like all Australians, unpaid carers have a right to a fair and decent quality of life. Caring Fairly is advocating for vital reforms needed to bring fairness to the hidden world of unpaid care in Australia.
We need your support.
With your support, we can shape a new public conversation about the value we attach to unpaid carers in
Australia, and advocate for the changes urgently needed by so many Australian families.
We can only do this together.
Join the movement, shape the conversation, and lend your support to the Caring Fairly campaign and
coalition at:
www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction @caringfairly
www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly
WHAT’S UNFAIR? THE KEY ISSUES
There are 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia, and over 850,000 primary carers.
Unpaid carers aren’t able to go on strike, but if they did, the Australian Government would have to spend over
$1 billion per week on formal health and social care services.
Australia’s reliance on unpaid carers is unsustainable and unfair. Over two thirds of primary carers are women.
Many carers aren’t able to get paid work on an equal footing to other Australians. Many older carers retire with
limited savings.
Young carers get a raw deal. Many children and young people who provide care to a loved one have poorer
educational outcomes and fewer employment and training opportunities than other Australians.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
THE KEY MESSAGES
Caring Fairly believes the Australian Federal Government must take urgent action to bring fairness to care. It
must look beyond short term policies, and invest in long term solutions. It must drive a cultural change in how
we as Australians, value the unpaid carers in all our communities. Ahead of the 2019 federal election, our three
key messages are:
1
Government must invest in the long-term economic
security of unpaid carers
2
Government must make it easier for unpaid carers to
balance work and care, on an equal footing with other
Australians
3
Government must make sure that all young carers can be
identified and assisted
These three key messages are drawn from Caring Fairly’s 2019 policy platform. To read the full document, and
our evidence base, visit www.caringfairly.org.au.
TAKE ACTION
GIVING QUEENSLAND CARERS A VOICE IN THE
2019 FEDERAL ELECTION
Within the next few weeks or months, Australians will go to the ballot box to elect a new federal government.
Caring Fairly wants unpaid carers to shape the outcome of this election. We want to use our collective voice to
achieve a fairer deal for carers, and a fairer society for all Australians.
It is essential that federal politicians hear from you to understand exactly what’s at stake in this election - in
Queensland, and for you, your family, and your community. Here are some ideas about how you can use your
voice.
Pressure your local senator to take action
Meeting with Queensland’s federal senators is a great way to influence the people who represent you at the
highest levels of government. Senators hold substantial power within their respective political parties. Senators
serve six-year terms in Parliament, making them the perfect driver for the long term policy changes we are seeking.
Queensland has twelve senators. You don’t have to meet with all of them, but you can ask for meetings with each,
or with one senator from each of the major parties, or any senator that you’d particularly like to speak to - the
choice is yours.
As a constituent you are entitled to request a meeting with your Senators on any issue of importance to you. Here
are some tips to make the process as easy as possible:
• You can request a meeting by calling or emailing the Senators from your state. You can also use the letter
template attached in this pack for some ideas on what to say
• Expect to wait a few weeks before the meeting occurs
• Plan what you’d like the Senator to know about your experience or situation and why you are passionate about
changing things
• Have a clear idea of what you’d like to ask them to do on your behalf - you can refer to the Caring Fairly key
messages for some ideas
• You can encourage your friends and family to sign the Caring Fairly petition in this kit and present this to
your senator to show the widespread community support for change.
• You can request a follow up meeting for a few months time to discuss and track progress on the issue
• The more voices your senators hear from on this issue, the harder it beomes to ignore our voice, and our
demands for change
Your Queensland senators
Senator Fraser Anning Senator James McGrath
Independent Liberal Party
(07) 3221 9099 (07) 5441 1800
senator.anning@aph.gov.au senator.mcgrath@aph.gov.au
@fraser_anning @JamesMcGrathLNP
Senator Matthew Canavan Senator Claire Moore
The Nationals Australian Labor Party
(07) 4927 2003 (07) 3252 7101
senator.canavan@aph.gov.au senator.moore@aph.gov.au
@mattjcan @SenClaireMoore
Senator Anthony Chisholm Senator Barry O’Sullivan
Australian Labor Party National Party
(07) 3229 4477 (07) 4638 7555
senator.chisholm@aph.gov.au senator.o’sullivan@aph.gov.au
@AnthonyChisholm @BarryOQld
Senator Pauline Hanson Senator Amanada Stoker
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Liberal Party
(07) 3221 7644 (07) 3001 8170
senator.hanson@aph.gov.au senator.stoker@aph.gov.au
@PaulineHansonOz @stoker_aj
Senator Chris Ketter Senator Larissa Waters
Australian Labor Party Australian Greens
(07) 3881 3710 (07) 3367 0566
https://www.chrisketter.org/contact/ senator.waters@aph.gov.au
@SenChrisKetter @larissawaters
Senator Ian MacDonald Senator Murray Watt
Liberal Party Australian Labor Party
(07) 4771 3066 (07) 5531 1033
senator.ian.macdonald@aph.gov.au senator.watt@aph.gov.au
@MurrayWatt
WHAT’S AT STAKE THIS ELECTION IN YOUR STATE?
Every election is often decided by a few marginal seats in each state. If you live in one of the following federal seats, it
is worth contacting your local MP and candidates as well as your senator. If you are not sure which federal electorate
you live in you can check at www.aec.gov.au. Do you live in one of the following?
Herbert Longman Moreton Dawson
Capricornia Flynn Petrie
Forde Griffith Dickson
If you live in one of the following:
Check out the Marginal Seats Guide at the end of this toolkit to discover a bit about the candidates in
your local electorate and how to contact them.
Engage with your local supports
Whether it’s an online support group or one you might attend in person - let your support networks know about this
campaign and why you support it yourself. You can share our posters, petitions or social media graphics with the group
but don’t forget to explain your personal perspective as a supporter of the campaign.
Not sure what supports are available in your local area?
Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. We can give you some
information on what supports are available through our affiliated support organisations.
You can also visit our QLD partners’ websites directly:
• Arafmi - www.arafmi.com.au/
• Carers QLD - carersqld.com.au
• Eating Disorders QLD - eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au
Host an event
One of the best ways of spreading our message is through face-to-face conversations in a social setting. Hosting an event is also
a really helpful way of engaging with other carers. The following ideas could be used to bring people in your community together to
discuss this important issue.
• A carers morning tea, hosted at your own home or at a community venue. This can be as informal or formal as you would like
• Offer to run a social event as part of a carers support group or community group
• Organise some friends to go with you to your local shopping strip and ask people to sign the Caring Fairly petition
• Hold a carers craft afternoon
• Anything that incorporates fun and social activities with activities to provide information about the Caring Fairly
campaign
Get creative
There are creative ways to tell your story, and to be a voice for change. You might want to:
• Write a poem;
• Paint or draw;
• Write a blog post;
• Engage with your local community radio station;
• Develop an outdoor display or mural;
• Anything else you can think of that engages your artistic skills and expression.
Once your project is complete, be sure to share it with us online, through our website or the other links below.
You can also tag us in anything you post on social media if you are posting it to your personal page.
www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly
www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly
Use the petition
The Caring Fairly petition can be found at the back of this toolkit. It is a simple and effective tool to start conversations
about this important topic, and to demonstrate to politicians the collective power of unpaid carers in this election. You can
ask your friends, family, neighbours and online community to sign to encourage government to prioritise carers at this
election.
You might want to keep a copy on your kitchen bench or deliver a copy of the petition to the letterboxes
in your street. Most people will be happy to support the cause but they do need to be asked to do so.
Please let the Caring Fairly team know if you are using the petition, so that we can help you maximise your local and
national impact. Send any completed copies of the petition to campaigns@minasutralia.org.au and let us know how we
can support you.
:
Advocate online
Modern elections
: are fought online as much as offline. Using your social media presence to share your story, voice your
demands, and amplify the messages of the Caring Fairly campaign are important ways to get the attention of
politicians, and advocate for change.
• Follow and engage with Caring Fairly’s social media channels
• Share Caring Fairly graphics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au
• Use Caring Fairly frames on your profile picture on Facebook. You can find these at caringfairly.org.au
• Share part of your story online, and set out the reforms you want to see from politicians in this election (more on this
in the next section)
• Create a 30 second online video (see below)
• Engage in online support groups where appropriate and let people know about the Caring Fairly campaign and how
they can get involved
• Engage with politicians and political parties online to raise awareness of the campaign
• Engage in respectful conversations on Twitter and Facebook about your experience
When publishing your story - be sure to tag Caring Fairly on social media so we can help spread the word. You can use
the links below to share.
www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly
www.facebook.com/caringfairly @caringfairly
Not sure how or what to share online?
Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the
campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how to share your story online.
Share your story online Sharing your experiences is one of your most powerful advocacy tools. It is one of the best ways to build a sense of connection and a way to captivate, and compel people to action. Writing down your own experiences as a carer can be confronting, emotional, and traumatic. It is important to reflect on your own boundaries around what you are comfortable sharing with other people; be they your family, friends, neighbours, local community or your online environment. Tips to try in your storytelling: Always keep in mind what the purpose of your story is. What message are you trying to convey? Why do you want people to hear about it? This will help guide the shape of your story and give an idea of where the particular points of focus should be. Don’t worry about figures, data or metrics to include in your story. The value of your story is in your experience and the perspective you have as a result. You don’t need to disclose every personal detail. Sharing your story gives you power over how much you disclose and to whom. You can choose to highlight particular aspects of your story depending on your comfort levels and your audience. Allow yourself some vulnerability. This gives your audience something to relate to emotionally. Make sure your story includes characters. Although you won’t want to disclose everything about them, don’t gloss over the participants in the story and their point of view. There is political power in voicing common experiences. Most people will find it very easy to understand issues as they relate to family, or friendships, or suffering, as they are universal human experiences. Use this to your advantage and focus on the most universal aspects of your story. Finish with a call to action. What do you want people to do now that they’ve heard your story? What action do you want to inspire from them? Crucially, what do you want your elected representatives to do? If you share our vision of ‘what needs to change’, we ask you to use our ‘key messages’, found earlier in this toolkit. Need help crafting your story or not sure how best to take action? Head over to www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction and fill out the contact us form. Someone from the campaign will be in touch to give you some advice about how you can be involved!
Create a 30 second video
Filming a short video on your phone is a great and easy way of sharing your story, adding a human face to this important
issue and getting public attention.
Caring Fairly can help make it even easier for you.
Examples of short videos from campaign supporters can be found on our facebook page at facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign
Caring Fairly would love to hear your stories via video and help you reach a wide online audience. We can edit, brand, and
‘polish’ your videos, if you want us to. When you tag Caring Fairly on Facebook or Twitter with your 30 second video, we will
help you share and promote your video.
We are collecting the stories of carers to help raise public awareness of the campaign and make sure a wide variety of voices
are heard. We are asking Caring Fairly supporters from Queensland to record a 30 second video of themselves and submit
the footage via our
Facebook inbox or email: campaigns@mindaustralia.org.au. Make sure you tag us if you upload your video on social
media as well.
www.caringfairly.org.au @caringfairly
www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairlyQLD MARGINAL SEAT GUIDE: THE TOP 10 Caring Fairly is non-partisan and apolitical. We want to see improved government responses, policies, and committments from all parties, politicians, and candidates. This information is accurate at the time of publishing and is subject to change. To stay up to date with election developments follow /CaringFairlyCampaign on Facebook. Herbert ALP Candidate: Ms Cathy O’Toole MP Ms Catherine “Cathy” O’Toole has been the Labor member for Herbert since the 2016 federal election. One of Ms O’Toole’s policy interests is affordable and accessible health care and childcare. She has held a position on the national peak body Community Mental Health Australia. In her maiden speech, Cathy explained, “In 2002 I moved into the mental health community sector, firstly as the CEO of a mental health specialist Disability Employment Service, then as the CEO of a medium-sized community-managed mental health organisation.This change in career enabled me to become active in advocating at the peak body level for the most vulnerable people. I am absolutely committed to working with the community sector in order to ensure that the needs of vulnerable citizens across all ages and cultures are met.” Email: Cathy.OToole.MP@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 2296 / Electorate office (07) 4725 2066 Twitter: @c_otoole Facebook: facebook.com/CathyOTooleMP LNP Candidate: Mr Phillip Thompson Mr Phillip Thompson is an ex-serviceman who was injured in Afghanistan and then came back to Australia, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and decided to help others who were going through similar trauma. He is an am- bassador for R U OK? a suicide prevention charity, where he advocates for veterans’ employment, health and wellbeing, which has seen him appointed to national and government boards on mental health, self-harm and suicide. Mr Thompson shares his story and his life experiences to empower other injured and ill ex-servicemen to have meaningful employment and community engagement. His volunteer efforts saw him recognised as Queensland’s Young Australian of the Year for 2018. Email: herbert@lnpq.org.au Phone: 0497 814 158 Twitter: @P_Thompson88
Greens Candidate: Mr Sam Blackadder Mr Sam Blackadder has a background as an executive within the renewable energy sector. He has lived childhood experience of domestic violence and homelessness, which has informed his beliefs in universal access to essential services, including housing, education, and mental health services. Email: sam.blackadder@qld.greens.org.au Phone: (07) 3357 845 Capricornia ALP Candidate: Mr Russell Robertson Mr Russell Robertson is from Moranbah and has worked at the nearby Goonyella mine for the past seventeen years operating heavy mining vehicles. He has previously stated, “My number one priority as the Member for Capricornia will be to fight for local infrastructure and real local jobs.” Mr Robertson was heavily involved in the proposal for Labor’s $11.1 million investment in a cardiac theatre for Rockhampton Hospital, working closely with Ms Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare. His opinion has been that this investment is a step towards making sure that there are more nurses and doctors, more outpatient visits and more support available for people in communities across Queensland. Email: russell.robertson@queenslandlabor.org Phone: 0429 081 998 LNP Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Liberals have not announced a candidate for the seat of Capricornia. For more information on the Liberal Candidates in the 2019 federal election, see https://www.liberal.org.au/our-team Greens Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Greens have not announced a candidate for the seat of Capricornia. For more information on the Greens’ candidates in the 2019 Federal election, see https://greens.org.au/candidates.
Forde ALP Candidate: Mr Des Hardman Des Hardman, Labor’s candidate for Forde, works as a Senior Radiographer and MRI team leader at Logan Hospital, where he coordinates patient care and works directly with members of the community from Logan, the Gold Coast, and surrounding areas. Having been part of healthcare service delivery through his working life, Mr Hardman is a big believer in accessible, affordable healthcare for all members of our community. He’s seen firsthand the damage that can be caused by cuts to health care funding, and he will always stand up for local hospitals and health workers. Mr Hardman is focussed on securing the vital infrastructure developments Forde needs including funding for hospitals. Mr Hardman has been a strong campaigner against the federal government’s $6 million cut from Logan Hospital and almost $11 million from Gold Coast University Hospital. If Labor should win the election, they have promised an Urgent Care Centre for Logan Hospital, which Mr Hardman commented, “Would see around 15,000 patients a year freeing up vital resources at the Hospital for more serious cases.” Email: des.hardman@australianlabor.com.au Phone: 0478 776 198 Twitter: @Des_Hardman Facebook: facebook.com/deshardmanlabor LNP Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Liberals have not announced a candidate for the seat of Forde. For more information on the Liberal Candidates in the 2019 federal election, see https://www.liberal.org.au/our-team Greens Candidate: Kirsty Petersen Ms Kirsty Petersen grew up in Bundaberg, and now lives in Logan. She believes in equality of opportunity for all people,
Longman ALP Candidate: Ms Susan Lamb MP Ms Susan Lamb is the member for Longman as well as the Deputy Chair of Standing Committee on Employment, Edu- cation and Training. Ms Lamb has challenged the Coalition to invest more into mental health services, saying: “There’s a huge mental health issue in this country and in my community. From 2015 to 2016, the people in my community spent nearly 27,000 days in hospital beds due to mental health. Tragically, from 2011 to 2016, 124 people in my community took their lives. That is 124 people too many. It’s pretty clear that there’s a big problem in our society. It’s a huge problem, and we must work together to prevent and to reduce the impact of mental ill health and suicide.” During her maiden speech, Mr Lamb expressed commitment to addressing mental health issues, saying: “I do not underestimate the challenge of tackling mental health issues, but with unity of purpose and our strong sense of community we must confront this issue. Together we must work in partnership with community groups to reach out to those in distress when they are in need and to work cooperatively and with commitment on preventative measures. Inaction is not an option.” Email:Susan.Lamb.MP@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4532 / Electorate office (07) 5432 3177 Twitter: @SusanLambMP Facebook: facebook.com/LambforLongman LNP Candidate: Mr Terry Young Mr Terry Young is a businessman from Kallangur who has been vocal about funding for healthcare, stating “At the Longman by-election last year, one of the greatest lies told was the Coalition had cut medical care in the electorate.” This statement was in line with the LNP’s proclamations that funding for Queensland hospitals between 2012-2013 under the Labor government was $2.7bn in comparison to LNP’s funding between 2017-2018 of $4.9bn which was an increase of 82%. Mr Young also shared stats that showed in the same time frame, Caboolture hospital emergency patients seen within 10 minutes had increased by 7%, and the amount of Longman GP visits bulk-billed was up 27%. Email: longman@lnpq.org.au Phone: (07) 3844 0666 Facebook: facebook.com/Terry4Longman Greens Candidate: Ms Simone Dejun Ms Simone Dejun is a telecommunications lawyer, and long-term resident of Kallangur. She was the Greens candidate for Murrumba at the 2015 election. A passionate environmentalist, Ms Dejun also advocates for changes to the practice of corporate political donations. Email: simone.dejun@qld.greens.org.au Phone: (07) 3357 8458 Twitter:@SimoneDejun Facebook: facebook.com/SimoneDejun
Flynn ALP Candidate: Mr Zac Beers Mr Zac Beers has been an industrial organiser fighting for the rights and conditions of thousands of workers across the Central Queensland region. Mr Beers passions lie in the health and education systems as well as the employment sector. He plans to fight against the LNP’s $17 billion tax handout for the big banks, and fight for proper funding for local hospitals. Mr Beers has said his campaign is “focused on the same issues I have fought for my whole life – access to real, secure jobs & world-class health care”. Mr Beers is running a petition led campaign for a new public MRI machine at Gladstone covered by Medicare. He has expressed his support for Labor’s announcement for over $15 million funding for a brand new dedicated community mental health centre for the Bundaberg region, which includes Moore Park Beach, Gin Gin and other areas in the south of Flynn. Mr Beers commented, “It shouldn’t matter whether or not you live in a big city or a regional centre - Labor believes you should be able to access quality mental health services. We will always prioritise the health of Queenslanders over the interests of multinational corporations and big banks.” Email: zac.beers@queenslandlabor.org Phone: 0437 580 726 Twitter: @zac_beers Facebook: facebook.com/ZacBeersforFlynn LNP Candidate: Mr Ken O’Dowd MP Mr Ken O’Dowd has represented the Flynn electorate in Central Queensland since 2010. Mr O’Dowd has spoken on the importance of improving support for mental health, alcohol and other drug issues within the Gladstone region, stressing the need to help make accessing and getting help easier for the Gladstone Community. Mr O’Dowd has shown his sup- port for his government’s commitment to invest a further $47 million to continue to support the mental wellbeing of young Australians through headspace. He said, “Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.” Mr O’Dowd has been clear since the start of his political career that he is focussed on improving rural health, saying “The health network is incredibly complicated in Queensland and therefore it’s necessary to ensure that we are all on the same page. The LNP has time and again called on Labor to start listening to our regional communities and the health profession- als that work here in order to better understand their need.” Email: ken.o’dowd.mp@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4380 / Electorate office (07) 4972 5465 Twitter: @KenODowdMO Facebook: facebook.com/kodowdmpflynn Greens Candidate: Mr Jaiben Baker Mr Baker is a farmer, with a background in environmental work with the Queensland government, and in the construction, mining and gas sectors. Email: jaiben.baker@qld.greens.org.au, phone: (07) 3357 8458
Griffith ALP Candidate: Ms Terri Butler MP Ms Terri Butler is the Shadow Minister for Employment Services, Workforce Participation and Future of Work - she fights for better schools and affordable and accessible health services. Ms Butler has a passion for fighting the hospital cuts that Scott Morrison proposes as they will hurt local communities. She has spoken out about this, stating “Scott Morrison and the Liber- als are destroying Medicare, implementing a GP-tax by stealth which is driving bulk billing down and out-of-pocket costs up. They are ripping funding from pathology and diagnostic imaging, making people with chronic illnesses pay more for vital tests and scans. Scott Morrison is already making health care even more unaffordable for those who need it most – their attack on Medicare will hurt families already struggling with the cost of living and wreck our universal health care system.” Email: terri.butler.mp@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4877 / Electorate office (07) 3899 4031 Twitter: @terrimbutler Facebook: facebook.com/butler4griffith LNP Candidate: Ms Olivia Roberts Ms Olivia Roberts is a Coorparoo local, volunteer at Stones Corner and a lawyer. Upon meeting with the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt she commented “The Government’s $185 million medical research package is focused on dementia, ageing and aged care. There is currently no cure for dementia, and with an increasing number of Australians living with dementia, I am very pleased that we can afford to invest in research to develop treatments and improve care.” On her page, she has also stated that “Funding for public hospitals will more than double under the Coalition from $13.3 billion in 2012–13 to $28.7 billion in 2024–25. More doctors, more nurses, more services. Now compare that with Labor’s effort while in government.” Email: griffith@lnpq.org.au Phone: (07) 3844 0666 Facebook: facebook.com/Olivia4Griffith Greens Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Greens have not announced a candidate for the seat of Griffith. For more information on the Greens’ candidates in the 2019 Federal election, see https://greens.org.au/candidates .
Dickson ALP Candidate: Ms Ali France Ms Ali France is Labor’s candidate for Dickson. She is a disability advocate and also works for a palliative care charity. Ms France lost her leg in 2011 in a car accident and as a result, has spent a lot of time in hospital or doctor’s surgeries - she has strong views about the need for reliable health care. Despite her injury, Ms France went on to represent Australia in the sport of outrigger canoeing and win gold for the country. In 2017 to mark World Mental Health Day, she posted on social media about how sport helped her overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ms France says “Many people with a disability strug- gle to find work and it doesn’t matter whether you acquire your disability later in life or whether you’re born with it there is an assumption out there that you’re going to be a burden. We need to change that.” As well as health, Ms France is passionate about education and social justice. Email: ali.france@queenslandlabor.org Phone: 0499 299 976 Twitter: @alifrance5 Facebook: facebook.com/AliFrance4Dickson LNP Candidate: Hon Peter Dutton MP Mr Peter Dutton is Minister for Home Affairs. He was elected to the House of Representatives for Dickson, Queensland, 2001 and re-elected in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. He was Minister for Health from September 2013 to December 2014. In this role, Mr Dutton oversaw the establishment of a $20 billion medical research fund and received praise for a comprehen- sive mental health plan. Mr Dutton announced a number of actions by the Government to progress mental health as a key priority area. As part of this, he initiated a review of mental health services in 2013 when he said: “People with mental illness deserve the same standards of access and treatment as those with a physical illness.” In 2016, the Liberal Government announced funding for The Carers Foundation in Dickson. Mr Dutton said, “carers are self- less people who give up their time to help those who are most needy and are not recognised enough for their contribution”. In December 2018, Mr Dutton also shared a video on Facebook about his visit to The Carers Foundation to mark National Carers Week. Email: Peter.Dutton.MP@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 7860 / Electorate office (07) 3205 9977 Twitter: @PeterDutton_MP Facebook: facebook.com/peterduttonmp Greens Candidate: Mr Benedict Coyne Mr Benedict Coyne is an international lawyer, and the former president of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. Email: benedict.coyne@qld.greens.org.au Phone: (07) 3357 8458 Twitter: @bennarama
Petrie ALP Candidate: Ms Corinne Mulholland Ms Corinne Mulholland was a staffer for Labor MP Arch Bevis and manager of strategy and engagement at Moreton Bay Regional Council until September 2018. Ms Mulholland stands up against cuts to local schools and hospitals including Red- cliffe Hospital - she supports affordable, quality health care. In 2018, Ms Mulholland took part in a 24 Hour Suicide Preven- tion treadmill challenge. She was raised by a single mum and says “it gave me an appreciation and understanding as to the struggle parents go through in raising their families and maintaining a job in harsh economic conditions with very little sup- port.” Email: corinne.mulholland@queenslandlabor.org Twitter: @Corinne4Petrie Facebook: facebook.com/CorinneMulholland LNP Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Liberals have not announced a candidate for the seat of Petrie. For more information on the Liberal Candidates in the 2019 federal election, see https://www.liberal.org.au/our-team Greens Candidate: Mr Jason Kennedy Mr Jason Kennedy lives in the Moreton Bay Region, and has a twenty year background working in technology industries. He is passionate about innovation and technology. Email: Jason.kennedy@qld.greens.org.au Phone: (07) 3357 845
Moreton ALP Candidate: Mr Graham Perrett MP Mr Perrett is Opposition Whip and Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. He was elected to the House of Representatives for Moreton, Queensland, 2007 then re-elected in 2010, 2013 and 2016. Mr Perrett describes himself as a lawyer, author, teacher and dad. Mr Perrett attends a number of health events including Macgre- gor Lions Health & Wellbeing Expo, the Health Forum and Brisbane Convention Centre and met with Australian Medical Association President in 2015. He posted on Facebook to mark Carers Week in 2018. He said “I want all the carers in my community to know I value the work that they do. There are 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia. Each week they spend an incredible 36 million hours caring for family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are aged. I thank you for the selfless work that you do.” Email: graham.perrett.mp@aph.gov.au Phone: Parliament office (02) 6277 4542 / Electorate office (07) 3344 2622 Twitter: @GrahamPerrettMP Facebook: facebook.com/GrahamPerrettMp LNP Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Liberals have not announced a candidate for the seat of Moreton. For more information on the Liberal Candidates in the 2019 federal election, see https://www.liberal.org.au/our-team Greens Candidate: Ms Patsy O’Brien Ms Patsy O’Brien has a twenty year background in administration and management in both the public and private sector. She has been a committed campaigner and advocate for vulnerable people for many years. Email: patsy.obrien@qld.greens.org.au Phone: 0423 455 960 Facebook: facebook.com/patsygreens
Dawson ALP Candidate: Ms Belinda Hassan Ms Belinda Hassan is a small business manager, domestic violence support worker, volunteer and advocate for the rights of vulnerable people. She has volunteered for the Domestic Violence Resource Service, Cancer Council Queensland and the Mackay Region Suicide Prevention Network. After enduring the tragic experience of the death of her grandson in a swimming pool, Ms Hassan was drawn to serve as the Manager of Mackay Funerals, where she cur- rently works. This experience has made Ms Hassan even more passionate about maintaining a first-class public health system. Ms Hassan says, “I’ve heard firsthand so many stories about families hit hard by extra costs of GPs. Mackay hospital is over capacity. Our local health system is in crisis, and I will always stand up for our community over Malcolm Turnbull and Canberra politicians.” Email: belinda.hassan@queenslandlabor.org Phone: 0412 421 451 Twitter: @Belinda_ALP Facebook: facebook.com/BelindaALP LNP Candidate: At the time of writing in late February 2019, the Liberals have not announced a candidate for the seat of Dawson. For more information on the Liberal Candidates in the 2019 federal election, see https://www.liberal.org.au/our-team Greens Candidate: Ms Imogen Lindenberg Ms Imogen Lindenberg is a part-time social work student, with a passion to represent the interests of young people. Email: imogen.lindenberg@qld.greens.org.au Phone: (07)3357 8458 Facebook: facebook.com/ImogenLindenberg.Greens
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NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
FAIRLY UPDATES? Y/N
EMAIL:
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NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
FAIRLY UPDATES? Y/N
EMAIL:
ADDRESS
NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
FAIRLY UPDATES? Y/N
EMAIL:
ADDRESS
NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
FAIRLY UPDATES? Y/N
EMAIL:
ADDRESS
NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
FAIRLY UPDATES? Y/N
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NAME PHONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECIEVE CARING
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EMAIL:
ADDRESSA letter to your senator: a guide You can use this template to write to your senator via mail or email and use it to accompany the Caring Fairly peitition. Be sure to include some details about your personal experience if you can. Dear Senator, Re: Caring Fairly campaign I am writing to ask you to take action in support of the Caring Fairly campaign. There are almost 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia, across every electorate and in every state and territory. Over 850,000 people in Australia are the primary carer to a loved one with disability. I am one of these people. [A bit of background about yourself, your family, and your caring responsibilities]. Unpaid carers get the rawest of deals in Australia. As you may know, consistent evidence has shown that unpaid carers like me sacrifice own economic security, employment, and health and wellbeing. We are taken for granted in Australian government policies, because our ‘work’ sits outside of the formal economy. The current systems and services that we have in place to support people like me are insuf- ficient, unfair, and at breaking point. There are lots of big social problems that Australian politicians will have to grapple with over the coming years, but our growing need for ‘care’ should be high on that list. Across Queensland, adults and children alike are caring for loved ones at a scale far above and be- yond ‘normal’ family care arrangements. We do this at the expense of our careers, education, and long-term economic security. As our population ages, this is an issue that will affect more and more Australians. This is not sustainable, and it is not fair. Things need to change. If people like me are to continue propping up the formal health and social care systems in this country, then we need radically more support from government. We don’t need short-term policies, or empty commitments. We need long term commitments, from politicians like you, to rethink how Australian society values people like me. Caring Fairly has developed sensible policies to bring about these changes. You can read in detail about the campaign’s policy platform, research base, and supporters at caringfairly.org.au I seek your public support for the Caring Fairly campaign. Caring Fairly was launched in 2018 by a founding coalition of over 20 spe- cialist carer support and service delivery organisations, NGOs, and peak bodies from across Australia. What we are asking for makes sense, and is supported by evidence and the community sector in Queensland and across Australia. I ask you to support the Caring Fairly campaign by [Action: meeting with me / pledging your support to the Caring Fairly campaign online and through your social media channels / committing to raise these concerns at the highest levels within your party]. As a senator, your voice on this issue can make a vital difference to my family, and the lives of so many others in Queensland. Yours sincerely [Your name]
Unpaid Carers
Aren’t Able To
Strike
We care too much about
the people we support,
and what we do isn’t
recognised as ‘work’.
If we did, the Australian Government would
have to step in and spend over $1 Billion a
week on replacement services.
Find out more about Caring Fairly, a campaign and coalition advocating for a fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers.
www.caringfairly.org.au www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly @caringfairlyA FAIRER DEAL
FOR
AUSTRALIA’S
UNPAID CARERS
Find out more about Caring Fairly, a campaign and coalition advocating
Take for a fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers.
www.caringfairly.org.au/takeaction @caringfairly
Action www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairlyMost unpaid care is done by women On average women retire with almost half the superannuation of men. Help bring fairness to unpaid care Find out more about Caring Fairly, a campaign and coalition advocating for a fairer deal for Australia’s unpaid carers. www.caringfairly.org.au www.facebook.com/caringfairlycampaign @caringfairly @caringfairly
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